Passing laws, blowing smoke

Our opinion: Albany considers fining people who light up at playgrounds. Isn’t there a better way for the Common Council to weigh in on a public health concern?

Too bad it’s probably too late to get something on the agenda for tonight’s Albany Common Council meeting. But it would be fitting to bring a resolution to a vote proclaiming that Councilman James Sano has the best of intentions in wanting to ban smoking at the city’s playgrounds and ball fields.

That, we would think, just might pass unanimously.

An equally one-sided vote — in opposition, of course — would come if any council member wanted to endorse smoking in any form.

What’s actually before the council is more complicated, however. It at once raises concerns about excessive, not to mention impractical, government regulation of personal behavior and whether this particular legislation is off the mark in its promotion of the better interests of public health.

Mr. Sano says he’s not out to “ostracize smokers to the point where they’re like lepers.”

One wonders at what point he would think the laws have done just that. Slapping a $50 fine on anyone puffing away in the vicinity of a sandbox or a basketball hoop already seems like one more step toward banishment.

Beyond chastising smokers, though, what else would such a law do? Would it get them to quit, or merely have them be more discreet about their horribly unhealthy habit? Would it persuade them to smoke farther away from kids?

Mr. Sano and his allies make great note of how this will protect kids, from everything from secondhand smoke to bad examples.

The first point is well-taken. Smoking is a hazard to others, even if it might be diminished outdoors.

But exposing kids, as Judy Rightmyer of the Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition fears, to unhealthy behavior — and in playgrounds, of all places? Why stop at smoking? When do we get to sugary soda, candy bars, chips, and other junk food, all linked to the growing problem of obesity and the health problems that follow it, including diabetes and heart disease.

And why stop at tobacco smoke and playgrounds? Why not ban smoking wherever kids may happen to be — that is, just about anywhere? Why not keep cars, and especially trucks and buses, from anywhere near the places better suited to wholesome behavior, like, well, everywhere.

We could go on, and some people probably will at City Hall tonight.

Kudos in advance to the first person who steers the debate toward a more effective war against smoking. Perhaps everyone could step outside — and shoo those smokers away from the City Hall entryway — and look toward the Capitol. There, the budget fight is on to spend more of the state’s tobacco tax money on antismoking programs.

Perhaps a Common Council so good at resolutions could weigh in on that issue — after, that is, passing one hailing Mr. Sano, misguided idea and all.

I support this law as well, and although Hope for the Best may be right, it will be hard to enforce; it will no doubt deter some people. I think jail time is ridiculously excessive by the way. As for the articles point of view on ‘where does it end,’ my point is why should it. Children in the United States are constantly slammed with ads for sugary cereal and celebrate holidays with bags of candy… setting up areas where kids are expected and encouraged to be healthy should not be laughed at. Making good decisions should be encouraged!

yeah I agree. Lets also start jailing people for eating too much and gaining weight.
Especially when they eat all that unhealthy stuff in front of people. After all its a bad influence.
It sounds like the Albany Common Council has some control issues and too much time on their hands

Oh and hope for the best…….jail time? are you kidding me for smoking? Thats the stupidest thing ive ever heard, keep the jails for real criminals, suggesting that is a large waste of the taxpayers money, like we arent already wasting money on a daily basis supporting this state!

If you are concerned about a more effective war against smoking all that need be done is to abolish all cigarette taxes and proudly proclaim that society well not seek to benefit from addicts search for death. As a start we can ban the sale of cigarettes in the county.